About Us

Geography is the study of the environmental, cultural, political and economic processes
that produce distinctive local, regional and global patterns across the Earth’s surface.
It is one of the few academic disciplines that bridge the gap between the natural
and social sciences. Geographers analyze how complex interactions among these spatial
processes create constantly changing human and natural landscapes across the world.

Students can choose from one of three emphasis areas: Geographic Information Sciences
(GIS), Global and Area Studies, and Secondary Teaching. Our programs are student-centered, with abundant opportunities for interacting with
faculty and pursuing personal and professional interests.

Opportunities in Geography & GIS

Beyond the classroom, we offer field experiences, individual (directed) research,
and internships with local, state and national agencies. The Geography & GIS student
organization, the Geography & GIS Club, is very active in a range of social, community
service and academic events. The club is named after Major John Wesley Powell, a noted
19th-century explorer of the Western U.S.

About the GIS Lab

The Department’s Laboratory for Geographic Information Science is used by both faculty
and students within and outside of Geography & GIS. This lab contains 25 PCs with
advanced graphics cards, an HP Designjet 4500 large-format plotter, 15 entry-level
GPS units and 10 high-end Trimble Juno GPS units with associated Trimble Pathfinder
software. The PCs have specialized software for cartography and geographic Information
systems (GIS), including CorelDraw and ESRI’s flagship software ArcGIS. The GIS Lab
also maintains a depository of paper map and air photo sets, and a large digital GIS
database for campus use. The Department’s Paleoenvironmental Research Laboratory has
equipment for sediment and tree-ring analysis.